AAJU asks Centre to release Rs 1000 cr for KNP

From Our Correspondent HALEM, July 20 – The two-day reconstituted State Executive Committee meet of the All Assam Journalists’ Union (AAJU) held at Kahara in Golaghat district on July 12 and 13 urged the Central Government to sanction Rs 1000 crore for the all-round development of the Kaziranga National Park, informed Pankaj Kumar Nath, general secretary of AAJU.A press meet was held on the first day at the convention hall of the Kaziranga Park Directorate in which Surendra Nath Buragohain, Director of KNP, welcomed the journalists with a brief speech. The history of Kaziranga since 1905 was elaborated through a documentary show. It was revealed that Kaziranga initially covered 400 sq km area and constant efforts are made to preserve it. There are 35 varieties of mammals out of which 17 are found in Kaziranga only, informed Research Officer, Rabin Sarma.Replying to queries by the journalists, Sarma said that it was declared a ‘game-sanctuary’ in 1916. In 1937, it was opened for visitors. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1950 and upgraded to a National Park in 1969. This national park received awards in 1999, 2000 and 2007 for its achievements, it was mentioned.In addition to its original area, it was exceeded up to 429.93 sq km while six new additions were urged on the northern side of the Brahmaputra. During an interaction, the director informed that due to litigation, eviction could not be initiated. In this addition, there are approximately 100 cattle camps (khutis) in the ‘chaporis’. However, a range-office has been deployed for this addition under KNP and it will start function soon, the director said. There are 356 beels covering an area of 24 kms.With 1,856 rhinos, KNP also has 1,833 Asiatic wild buffalo, said research officer Sarma. The Eastern Swamp Deer, which is found only in Kaziranga, numbers around 68. There are approximately 1,293 wild elephants. While asked about the big cats, the officers said there are 86 Royal Bengal Tigers.In addition to poaching, erosion too has posed as a major problem. Manned by 462 staff and 116 home guards, a total of 2,766 rhinos have died due to various reasons from 1976 to 2007.Though floods are regarded as an annual menace, but KNP cannot regenerate itself unless there are floods. It helps in infusing new life into the swampy grasslands which are the staple source of foraging material for the park’s herbivores. The ecological process is maintained by the annual deluge, it was said.There are 72 artificial highlands for the animals during floods. As security is relatively weak, hence it needs more forces. However the park director denied reports about handing over KNP to the Army.The following day, the first state executive committee meeting was held at the same venue with newly-elected president Rohini Medhi. Pankaj Kumar Nath, general secretary explained the objectives. The members were felicitated by the host and also by members of Puwati Sahitya Sabha.Suresh Chandra Barthakur, founder-president and adviser, of AAJU inaugurated the meeting. The meeting discussed organisational matters and all district committees will be formed within two months, it was proposed. The meeting vehemently criticised the action of the authority of Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh and fully supported the action of the Dibrugarh journalists. It also decided to wear black-badges on the day.In another proposal, it urged the Government of India to sanction Rs 1000 crore for the all-round development of KNP, a world heritage site.If necessary, an AAJU deputation will go to Delhi.The meeting appealed to all concerned to come forward with an open mind for settling the ULFA problem. Among others, S Deka, K Saikia, A Goswami, K Saikia, B Nath, P Barthakur and AB Goswami took part in the deliberations. The AAJU thanked the KNP officials for the success of the meeting. source: assam tribune